criminal love; jungwon

34

The sun is warm on my skin, and the air is filled with the scent of freshly bloomed flowers. Laughter echoes around me, soft and carefree.

I’m standing in a wide, open field, the kind you see in movies—endless and bright, stretching far beyond the horizon.

“Nanhee!”

I turn around and see Seojun running toward me, his tiny legs moving as fast as they can. His face is lit up with joy, cheeks flushed pink from the effort. He’s holding a red toy car, his favorite.

“Catch me, Noona!” he calls, giggling.

I smile, bending down to scoop him up. He squeals in delight as I spin him around, his laughter filling the air.

“Careful, you’ll make him dizzy,” a soft voice says.

I stop spinning and look up.

Mom is standing a few feet away, watching us with that gentle, tired smile she always had. She looks exactly as I remember—her hair neatly tied back, her hands clasped in front of her. But there’s a lightness to her now, a peace I haven’t seen in years.

“Mom…” My throat tightens, and tears blur my vision.

She steps forward, wrapping me and Seojun in a warm embrace. “I’m here, sweetheart,” she whispers. “I’ve always been here.”

I close my eyes, holding on to the moment. I don’t want it to end.

“Hey, are you going to stand there all day, or are you coming to play?”

I know that voice.

I turn toward the sound and see him—Jungwon. He’s leaning against a tree, hands in his pockets, a playful smirk on his face. His eyes are warm, filled with something I can’t quite name but have always longed for.

“Come on,” he calls, waving me over. “We’re waiting.”

Seojun wriggles out of my arms and runs toward Jungwon, who kneels down to catch him. They laugh together, the sound blending with the gentle rustling of the leaves.

I take a step forward, then another.

Jungwon looks at me, his gaze soft and steady. “It’s okay,” he says. “You’re safe now.”

Safe.

The word feels like a promise, like a lullaby.

I walk over and sit beside them under the tree. Seojun is already busy playing with his toy car, lost in his little world. Mom sits on my other side, her hand resting gently on mine.

Jungwon stretches out, lying on the grass with his hands behind his head. He looks up at the sky, a contented sigh escaping his lips. “It’s a good day,” he murmurs.

I nod, leaning back against the tree trunk. The sun filters through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground. The breeze is cool, carrying the scent of wildflowers.

For the first time in a long time, I feel… at peace.

We sit there in comfortable silence, just being.

No worries. No fears.

Just us.

Together.

I close my eyes, letting the warmth of the sun and the sound of their laughter lull me into a sense of calm.

And in that moment, I know—this is where I belong.